# rutherford

/ˈɹəθɝfɝd/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rutherford
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. Ernest Rutherford

noun · CEFR B2

Ernest Rutherford was a famous scientist who discovered how atoms are built.

For teachers: Refers to Ernest Rutherford (1871–1937), the New Zealand-born physicist known as the father of nuclear physics for his work on atomic structure.

- In science class, we learned about Rutherford and his famous gold foil experiment.
- Rutherford was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his investigations into the disintegration of elements and the chemistry of radioactive substances.

### 2. unit of radioactivity

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

An old unit used to measure how much radiation something gives off.

For teachers: An obsolete unit of radioactivity defined as one million nuclear disintegrations per second. The SI unit becquerel has largely replaced it.

- The old textbook measured the sample's activity in rutherfords instead of becquerels.
- Although the rutherford was once a standard measure in nuclear physics, it was superseded by the becquerel in the mid-twentieth century.

Usage: The symbol for this unit is 'rd'.

### 3. surname

noun · CEFR B2

A common family name that originally comes from Scotland.

For teachers: A Scottish habitational surname derived from Old English, originally referring to a specific location in the Scottish Borders.

- Mr. Rutherford is the new manager of the local bank.
- The Rutherford family has a long history in the region, with records of the name dating back several centuries.

## Examples

- The sample showed a strength of one rutherford.
- Early nuclear researchers used the rutherford to quantify the decay rate of radium samples in their laboratories.
- Although the rutherford provided a convenient decimal-based scale for measuring high-intensity radiation, it was eventually replaced by the SI unit, the becquerel, to maintain international standardisation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.